3.0L Duramax Oil: Which dexos D Oil and How Many Quarts (2020–2025)
The 3.0L Duramax inline-six (LM2 / LZ0) calls for a GM dexos®D oil, SAE 0W-20, and takes 7.0 quarts with the filter. That means a 5-quart jug leaves you two quarts short and a case of six leaves you one quart short. You need seven.
Which trucks have the 3.0L Duramax?
GM lists the 3.0L LM2 / LZ0 diesel in these light-duty models:
| Vehicle | Years |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | 2020–2025 |
| GMC Sierra 1500 | 2020–2025 |
| Chevrolet Tahoe | 2021–2025 |
| Chevrolet Suburban | 2021–2025 |
| GMC Yukon / Yukon XL | 2021–2025 |
| Cadillac Escalade / Escalade ESV | 2021–2024 |
Always confirm with your owner's manual or the oil-fill cap. If you are unsure, call us at (626) 269-7689 with your year, model and engine and we will check before you buy.
Is it the 3.0L or the 2.8L?
Do not mix these up. The 2.8L Duramax four-cylinder in the Colorado and Canyon is a different engine. GM specifies dexos2 5W-30 and a different filter for it. Everything on this page is for the 3.0L inline-six only.
dexos D is not dexos1 Gen 3
This is the most common mistake at the parts counter. Both oils are 0W-20 and both bottles say "dexos", so they sit side by side on the shelf. They are not the same thing:
- dexos1 Gen 3 is GM's specification for gasoline engines.
- dexos®D is GM's specification for light-duty diesel engines. It is a low-SAPS oil built for diesels with exhaust aftertreatment.
If the bottle does not say dexos D, it is not the oil GM specifies for the 3.0L Duramax, even if the viscosity matches.
Why seven quarts is awkward to buy
Oil comes in 5-quart jugs and cases of six quarts. The 3.0L takes 7.0 with the filter, so buying off the shelf usually means a case plus a loose quart, or two jugs with three quarts left over. We put the oil together in the exact amount the job takes:
- 7 quarts: one complete oil change, nothing left over.
- 14 quarts: two complete oil changes, and the lowest price per quart.
The two dexos D oils we stock
Mobil 1™ ESP X2 0W-20 (Mobil part 125386) is a full synthetic, low-SAPS oil. ExxonMobil lists it as GM dexos®D licensed, and it appears on GM's dexos D licensed-brand list.
- Mobil 1 ESP X2 0W-20, 7 quarts: one 3.0L Duramax change
- Mobil 1 ESP X2 0W-20, 14 quarts: two changes
ACDelco dexos®D 0W-20 (GM part 19370138, ACDelco 10-9277) is GM's own original-equipment diesel oil, the same service part a Chevrolet or GMC dealer stocks.
- ACDelco dexos D 0W-20, 7 quarts: one change
- ACDelco dexos D 0W-20, 12 quarts: one change plus five quarts spare
- ACDelco dexos D 0W-20, 14 quarts: two changes
Both meet the specification GM calls for. Choose ACDelco if you want the exact GM service part; choose Mobil 1 ESP X2 if you prefer the Mobil 1 full synthetic.
Before you start the change
- Check the dipstick after refilling and after a short run. The 7.0-quart figure includes the filter.
- Follow the oil-life monitor and your owner's manual for the change interval.
- Recycle used oil and the old filter at a parts store or collection center.
Mobil 1, ESP and ExxonMobil are trademarks of Exxon Mobil Corporation. ACDelco, dexos, Duramax, Chevrolet, GMC, Silverado, Sierra, Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon and Cadillac Escalade are trademarks of General Motors. CalBest Supplies is an independent retailer and is not affiliated with or endorsed by either company.